I was raised in a home where drugs were not uncommon. As early as I can remember, I would wake myself up and dress myself for school. Yes, I remember being in the fourth grade and waking myself up and catching the bus to school because my mom was passed out on the couch. I never knew my father. I have been told he is serving a life sentence in prison in Texas. He has written me once or twice but I have never responded. I lived in and out of apartment complexes—a childhood no child should live. When I was in the sixth grade I went to stay with my aunt because my mom was in rehab. When my mom had gotten out of the hospital I decided to call her. By this time, I had begun to go to church with my aunt. I asked my mom if she wanted to come to church with us—she said no. I begged and begged her to go. I ended up becoming very frustrated with her and hung up the phone. I did not say bye. I did not say I love you. I did not say I will see you soon. This was a decision I would soon regret. The next morning I got out of bed and began getting dressed for school. I went down the stairs and my sister was there. This was very strange. She was crying. This was even stranger. Next my aunt, sister, and cousin are walking me back up the stairs. I have no clue what is going on. They said they needed to tell me something… my aunt told me that my mom had been in a car accident. At this time a million thought were racing through my head. Ok well let’s go see her at the hospital, I thought. The next words out of my aunt’s mouth changed my life forever. Wes “your mom didn’t make it,” she told me. My mind went blank. I had no thoughts. None. It took a while for it to sink in. My mom was dead. Gone forever. I would never see her again—just like that. The next thing I realized were that last words I had said to her. Nothing. I had hung up the phone. I did not get to say goodbye. I did not get to say I love you, mom. This was the saddest day of my life.
I continued to live with my aunt and I have been so thankful. She took me in without even one thought. I continued to go to church and eventually came to “know Christ” or be “saved.” That was the happiest day of my life. To know that I will be able to see my mom again one day, to be able to say I love you, mom. Since then I began going to church at First Baptist thanks to one of my friends, Cali, who invited me. This was also a great turn in my life. At this church I became “plugged in.” I learned so much about who I am and what my life means.
I am now a sophomore at Lander University on full scholarship. I look back now and think how my life would be different. I think God knew exactly what he was doing when he took my mom from me. I think my life would be completely different now. If I continued in that lifestyle, I know I would not be where I am today. For that, I am thankful. Thankful to have such a wonderful family. Thankful to have such great friends. Thankful that I know that there is a God that knows the plans for my life. Thankful to know that I will have an eternal future. The end is just the beginning of eternity.
